2 Firefighters Earn Their Black Shields

June 29th - It is with great pride that we announce that Firefighters Robert Handzo and Brian Sudo have successfully passed Firefighter I course at the Somerset County Fire Academy. After 3 months of hard work, both Rob and Brian were able to turn in their yellow probationary firefighter shields, and were issued black Engine Company shields. Congratulations to both Rob and Brian!!!

2 New Tools Added to Rescue 25

June 27th - On Monday our local Hurst dealer stopped by Station 25 to demonstrate how to use the two new tools we recently purchased. The first was a new extrication spreader, while the second was an air bag restraint system. The new spreader provides additional flexibility for us, as it has comes with three sets of interchangeable tips. The air bag restraint system that we purchased can be put on either the driver side or passenger side of a car, and is designed to prevent an undeployed air bag from deploying and hitting either a patient or a rescuer. Both tools were put in service on Rescue 25 that night.

Our new spreader fully opened	The dealer demonstrating how to use the airbag restraint system

Structure Fire on Fuller St

June 22nd - At 0135 District 3 was dispatched to a reported working fire with 6-7 people still inside the structure. Car 25 was first on scene, requested mutual aid from Station 56 (FAST Team) and 44. E-253 responded with 5 FFs under the command of Engine Captain Middleton, and was first on scene. Upon their arrival, they found smoke coming from the structure and E-253 stretched 2 lines to the rear door. Due to the initial report of people trapped, Chief Ries directed the crew of E-253 performed a primary search of the structure to rescue any trapped occupants, while the engine crew from station 27 took one of our lines and began putting water on the fire. Ladder 25 responded with 3 under the command of FF/EMT Greenhaus, and performed ventilation and salvage of the structure. Units remained on scene for 90 minutes. For more pictures click here

FFs Sudo and Kwityn using a fan to ventilate the structure	Damage to the rear of the structure from the fire.

Assist to Somerset County Swat Team During Standoff in Dist 3

June 21st - At 1630, District 3 was requested to assist the Somerset County Emergency Response SWAT Team. They had been requested by Franklin Police, who had been at a house on Ralph St. attempting to take a resident into protective custody for a psychiatric evaluation. As police entered the residence, the suspect jabbed a sword through a door, injuring a Franklin police officer. The County SWAT team was called, and District 3 was placed on standby in case the SWAT team had to use flash-bangs, which could ignite the house. Car 25, Engine 253, and Ladder 25 staged at our firehouse while the SWAT team used tear gas to gain entry into the house and apprehend the suspect. Station 25 units were then requested to respond to ventilate the structure to the police could investigate. Units cleared in under 2 hours.

Flammable Liquid Fires Training

June 18th - Early Sunday morning, the firefighters from Station 25 traveled to the Middlesex County Fire Academy to train on how to handled flammable liquid fires.  The crews practiced several different evolutions, and trained on how to deal with various flammable liquid related emergencies. For more picture click here

Engine Captain Middleton supervising both attack lines	The first attack line led by Engine Captain Middleton

Dumpster Fire

June 17th - At 20:36 tones were struck for a dumpster fire behind Pine Grove Manor School.  Engine 251 arrived on scene @ 20:40 first due with a crew consisted of B. Amos as driver, Chief Ries as officer and 4 firefighters.  The crew stretched the trash line and knocked the fire down.  Engine 251 cleared up in less then 10 minutes.

Reported Structure Fire on Phillips Rd

June 14th - At 0630, District 3 was dispatched to a reported structure fire on Phillips Rd. Engine 251, under the command was Lt. Wilson, responded first with a crew of 3, followed by Ladder 25, under the command of Captain Inzano. Squad 25 followed with a crew of 3 under the command of Lt. Natal. E251 was first due, and found the fire had been extinguished by a dry chemical extinguisher. Ladder 25 arrived next and ventilated the structure, while Squad 25 provided additional manpower. Car 25B (Assistant Chief Toth) was the Incident commander. All units cleared in under 45 minutes.

CVFC firefighters setting up a fan for positive pressure ventilation	Ladder 25 in front of the structure

Two New Members Join Station 25

June 12th - Station 25 gained two members this past week.  Brian Kwityn (left) is a resident of Franklin, and was previously a member of Iselin Fire Department's explorer post.  He is currently employed as a home audio technician. Sam Merhi is originally from Franklin, but currently resides in Highland Park. Sam is currently a driver with United Parcel Service.  Both will be attending firefighter I in the fall.

Engine Operations Drill

June 8th - Several days ago, we were invited to a training session on ground ladder operations. Since we have a ladder tower in house and train on it frequently, we decided our time was better spent training in other areas. So, with 14 members present, we decided to drill on connecting to hydrants, pulling preconnected 2 inch hose lines, as well as different techniques for using the attack lines, the use of portable master stream devices, and pump operations for our drivers in training. All members involved agreed that flowing water on this hot and humid day was a very refreshing and very enjoyable drill.

2nd Alarm Assignment for Structure Fire in District #2

June 5th - At 0236, Engine 251 and Ladder 25 were requested to respond mutual aid into Fire District #2 for the commercial structure fire on Rt 27. As both units were pulling out of Station 25, the incident commander contacted Chief Ries (Car 25A) over the radio, advised him that they had knocked down the fire, and that both E251 and L25 could stand by in quarters. Station 25 crews cleared after 20 minutes.

Structure Fire on Mark Street

June 1st - At 1308, District 3 was alerted for a reported apartment fire on Mark Street. First arriving engine was Engine 253 with a crew of Driver/Engineer Pinnella, Officer Engine Captain Middleton, crew of FF Brian Whittaker and FF Elizabeth Diaz found a working apartment fire on the first floor of the residence. Captain Middleton established Mark Street command, and FFs Whittaker and Diaz stretched a two inch line into the structure. Due to a rapid response, the hose team was able to quickly knock down the bulk of the fire. Squad 25 responded as with additional manpower, and assisted with ventilation for the structure. After the fire was knocked down, Captain Middleton turned command over to Asst. Chief Skinner. Units cleared in under an hour.

Top Ten Responders for first half of 2005

June 1st - At the halfway point of our department's year (we go from December 1st to November 31), the current standings at 244 calls is as follows:

1. Firefighter Brian Sudo 147 calls
2. Engineer Lewis Pinnella 139 calls
3. Chief Richard Ries 110 calls
4. Truck Captain Frank Inzano 105 calls
5. Engine Captain Sherrod Middleton 101 calls
6. Truck Lt. Dewon Wilson 94 calls
7. Engineer Robert Amos 92 calls
8. Engine Lt. Angel Natal 87 calls
9. (tie) Firefighter Dan Greenhaus 80 calls
9. (tie) Firefighter Brian Whittaker 80 calls
10. Elizabeth Diaz 78 calls